The Forsaken Templar: Demon Gate Chronicles, #2

The Forsaken Templar.

Demon Gate Chronicles: Book 2

By S. C. Mitchell

This book is dedicated to my son,

Nathan,

Templar Knight.

Acknowledgments:

I’d like to thank my beta readers Louise, Jen, Laurie, Beth, Anne, and Mary.

Cover Design: Laurie Mitchell

Second Edition*

Text copyright © 2012, 2019, & 2021 by S. C. Mitchell. All rights reserved. Published by Lake Scrawls Publishing. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic of mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher. All resemblances to real people are purely accidental or used fictitiously and are a result of the author’s imagination.

Table of Contents

Prelude

Chapter 1

Interlude 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Interlude 2

Chapter 8

Interlude 3

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Interlude 4

Chapter 11

Interlude 5

Chapter 12

Postlude

Prelude

With a crack of thunder , the doorway to purgatory slid open, ripping a gaping wound between dimensions. Through the mist, a gaunt, old man stepped between the world of the living and the world of the damned. Nathan Gray was seeking a soul.

His crisp black suit, clean white shirt, and narrow black tie seemed an ordered contrast to the chaos around him. His shuffling tread was slow but purposeful. It was not his age that he felt, but rather the weight of humanity resting on his shoulders.

A thousand voices cried out in hope—so many souls, doomed to spend eternity in torment. Nathan hardened his heart against the assault on his senses. He knew the one he sought. Geoffrey le Court had never once called out to him for mercy. Yet, of them all, Geoffrey was the most deserving of redemption.

On a hill covered in human bodies, an ancient oak tree stood. Its leaves and branches were withered and blackened. The hill was the grim representation of the ruin of a once proud fellowship. Flames roared from the bodies and engulfed the tree. The fire burned but didn’t consume. A man—a solitary soul—was chained to the tree’s great trunk.

The old oak was long dead, but the soul bound to it was very much alive. The figure chained to the tree wore battered chainmail armor. His white tunic, though badly singed, still bore the remnants of the bold, red cross it had once so proudly displayed. The symbol of the Knights Templar.

The soul, and the man, writhed in agony yet no cry escaped the parched lips. The eyes were clear, without even a hint of madness. Seven hundred years had not broken the noble spirit. The knight stood firm, resolute, enduring his agony and torture.

Geoffrey le Court, at long last, your time has come. With a gesture, Nathan sent a cooling breeze to comfort the man’s face.

Nathan Gray, my old friend. The knight smiled through his anguish. Am I at last to be redeemed?

Nathan had fought long and hard against cosmic forces for his old friend. Today was the culmination of incredible effort, yet it was only the beginning of Geoffrey le Court’s trials.

Not yet redeemed, Nathan replied, patting the knight on his shoulder, but released. You will have your opportunity at last.

As Nathan Gray touched the knight, the flames died and the chains fell away. Geoffrey le Court was free of the restraints and the burning anguish that had haunted his soul for over seven centuries.

The Sword of Light blazed to life in the knight’s hands. How goes the war?

Geoffrey’s question cut right to the heart of the matter. Nathan shook his head. Badly. The demons are set to rise to power and conquer our world.

Nathan could feel Geoffrey’s anxiety. He knew what the knight would ask him next.

The gate?

There was no way to cushion the blow. The gate is lost to us. Geoffrey had died and been damned to purgatory to protect the secret.

Nathan saw the cold determination solidify in Geoffrey’s eyes. How long do we have?

As he pulled the forsaken Templar across the threshold into the world of the living, Nathan sighed. We have a few weeks, at most.

It wasn’t near enough to truly prepare, but it was all the time humanity had.

Chapter 1

The Arcanists would lead you to believe that the Earth Mother is benevolent and kind. They are wrong. While she offers power with a smile and an outstretched hand, her other hand, hidden behind her back, holds the shackles of slavery. The price an Arcanist pays is her immortal soul. – Templar Truths by Sir Walter Donovan, 1764

Kelly Grant pushed a cart filled with books through the stacks at the Sheboygan Public Library. As she went, she reshelved the books from the cart. It was a mundane job, useful and necessary. She thought about how many people would find the task beneath their calling. It required little training, was repetitious and often boring, but Kelly enjoyed the normalcy of it all. It wasn’t the first time she wondered what it would be like if the illusion was reality. Normal and boring had its own appeal. She was deep in the stacks when she heard someone calling for her.

Kelly? Are you back here?

Nathan Gray’s deep tone warmed Kelly’s heart. She turned and headed back toward the aisle. As she rounded the bookshelf, she saw her old friend. The elderly gentleman was dressed, as usual, in a crisp black suit, white shirt, and thin black tie. Kelly had always thought his look too severe and funereal in contrast with the warm, friendly soul he was. A little color would certainly warm up his look. But Nathan Gray wore death like a shroud, at least until he smiled.

Nathan, Kelly responded, giving her gaunt friend a quick hug. It’s always great to see you.

It was primarily because of Nathan Gray that Kelly had risen so quickly, despite her young age, to a position of great responsibility within the Arcanists. He had been her mentor and supporter, as she’d taken on the role of Senior Archivist. Her work here at the library had become an intriguing adventure. Still, Kelly often enjoyed escaping into the more mundane jobs, like shelving books.

It’s good to see you also, Nathan answered, his smile genuine. I have been so busy of late, I’ve fallen behind on my reading.

Kelly didn’t doubt it. Nathan’s responsibilities were far greater than hers. With the increase of demonic activity lately, the old man was probably being pulled in multiple directions at the same time. Well, I’m glad you found time to stop in today.

Despite his gauntness, he looked hale and animated, his cheeks a rosy red.

Maybe yes, maybe no, we shall see, Kelly noted the twinkle of mischief in Nathan’s eye. I have another project for you, my dear. May I introduce Mr. Geoffrey le Court.

Oh yes, she’d noticed the younger man standing behind Nathan. Geoffrey le Court was positively riveting. Had she not been so totally concentrating on Nathan, this man would have dominated her attention. His intense eyes seemed to stare into her soul. Short black hair framed a handsome face with chiseled features. Kelly placed the man in his mid-thirties.

Casually dressed in black jeans and a white polo shirt, the man stood a few inches taller than her, forcing her to look up. His shirt was tight enough to show Kelly an incredible physique. Broad shoulders tapered to a trim waist. The hint of musculature that showed through the thin fabric looked well defined. This guy was cut.

Geoffrey, this is Miss Kelly Grant. Nathan Gray added, She’s the one I told you about, who can help you with your research.

Geoffrey shot Nathan a glance filled with query and surprise. There was something dark and almost threatening in that glare, but Nathan merely smiled and nodded. When Geoffrey turned back to face her, he wasn’t smiling.

It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Grant, the man said stiffly, then bowed formally. His rich French accent intrigued her. His formal speech patterns made her suspect that English may not have been his native language.

Kelly offered her hand and the man took it. His frown lessened to a more neutral expression. Come on, smile a bit. She had a feeling he had a glorious smile. Geoffrey’s grip was strong, yet gentle. Rough, calloused hands told her this was no desk-jockey.

Geoffrey will need to work in the basement. Nathan handed Kelly a slip of paper. Please make these works available to him, to begin with.

What was Nathan up to now?

Kelly looked over the listing of books and manuscripts. Most were ancient, and in the secure archive vault, hidden away beneath their feet. One in particular stood out as being completely unavailable, though knowing Nathan Gray, that problem would soon be rectified. Kelly’s curiosity was piqued, but she knew Nathan and his peculiarities.

Make sure he gets these and any other item he requires. Every resource should be put at his disposal.

As she scanned the list again, Kelly tried to think of things the books would have in common. She’d studied most of them. There were a few intriguing possibilities.

And will the research assistant be made aware of the nature of the inquiry? Kelly raised her eyebrows, crossed her arms and gave the men her ‘librarian stare.’ Yes, Kelly could just procure the information requested, but she’d be much more help if she knew what Geoffrey le Court was looking for.

Nathan chuckled, I will leave it to Mr. le Court to determine how much to tell you of his quest. Keep your curiosity in check, my dear. I assure you that all will be revealed in time.

Nathan could be incredibly forthcoming at times, then completely mysterious at others. This was obviously going to be one of those enigmatic assignments. Well, Kelly could play that game too. Her mind was already narrowing down the possibilities. But as one of the top level leaders